*The "average" speed displayed in Mb represents the speed available to 50% of customers with this product during peak time (between 8pm and 10pm). The actual speed you will get depends on your cabling, your area and (with non-fibre optic products) time of day and how far you are from the telephone exchange. Most providers will tell you the likely speed you will receive when you begin your online sign up — this may differ from the average speed displayed on our table.

† Contract discount compares the promotional price currently offered across all services (broadband, line rental, TV, etc.) against the monthly cost of the same package without promotions, multiplied by the duration of the contract.

The deals available at your postcode are subject to local availability. The provider will confirm availability for your line.

We aim to take the strain out of broadband comparison. Good broadband deals aren't just about the price, it's also about what's included in the product, the speeds offered and any extra incentives providers are offering. To balance all of these, we have developed a ranking formula that takes into account deals that are proving to be popular with our customers, that are competitive in the market and have a smooth buying process.

If you prefer, you can sort deals by monthly cost, speed or contract length. You can also choose to show costs as monthly or full contract, which lets you see the total spend over the contract period, including any setup costs.

uSwitch services are provided at no cost to you, but we may receive a commission from the companies we refer you to.

Super-fast broadband is a term used to describe broadband connections that enable you to download files and browse the internet at lightning speeds. Super-fast broadband is the next step in the evolution of the Internet.

How fast is super-fast broadband?

We define super-fast broadband as a connection with a speed of 30Mbps or above. This means that even at its slowest, super-fast broadband is several times faster than the UK average of around 9Mbps.

A super-fast connection means you can download movies and music within seconds and stream TV without interruption, too. As a result, your web-surfing experience will be smoother than ever and the way you use online multimedia applications and services will be transformed overnight.

Why is super-fast broadband so much quicker?

In the case of Virgin Media’s super-fast broadband products, quicker connections with average speeds as high as 362Mbps are made possible due to the next-generation fibre-optic network it operates. This is much more efficient at relaying data than standard ADSL copper wires which slow down connection speeds.

The fibre packages offered by BT — and other providers on the Openreach network, like TalkTalk, Sky and Plusnet — use a slightly different fibre-to-the-cabinet technology to deliver average speeds of 35Mbps or 67Mbps, depending upon which package you have.

In areas where BT's pure fibre product has launched, much higher speeds are up for grabs. But the downside is that right now this service has very restricted availability.

How can I tell if I can get super-fast broadband?

Fibre-optic broadband is available to millions of UK households. If you’re in an urban area, you’ve got a very good chance of being able to get it. Rural areas are less well-served.

If you reside out of town and out of range of fibre broadband providers, don't despair. You may still be able to get a fast connection over standard ADSL broadband networks. Average speeds on ADSL are roughly 10Mbps.

Can you get super-fast broadband? Check your availability with our postcode checker.

Which is the best super-fast broadband provider?

The company with the quickest super-fast broadband product is Hyperoptic, whose customers can expect average speeds as high as 900Mbps. Hyperoptic isn't widely available, however, so outside of their network, Virgin Media offers fast speeds on a wider scale, with average speeds peaking at 362Mbps.

Do I need super-fast broadband?

This largely depends on how you use the internet. But if you’re a heavy downloader, play games online or watch a lot of on-demand television, then a super-fast broadband connection is essential for your needs.

Conversely, if you’re the kind of person who only uses the internet for e-mail or perhaps a bit of shopping and light web browsing, then you're possibly better off sticking with your existing connection.

uSwitch Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 312850. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting the FCA website.